Organization Questions Logic, Focus Of Declaration

The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association tells ANN Ohio aircraft owners have been singled out by the state to sign a declaration with their annual aircraft registration renewal, stating they are not involved in terrorist activity.

AOPA says pilots are the only license holders the Ohio Department of Transportation requires to sign its new Declaration Regarding Material Assistance/Non Assistance to a Terrorist Organization, or DMA. Needless to say, the group is extremely unhappy with what it says is a form of discrimination.

"Frankly, it is offensive to Ohio's pilot population to suggest that they are more suspect than people who own boats, trucks, or automobiles," wrote Greg Pecoraro, AOPA vice president of regional affairs, in a letter to the state's department of public safety.

AOPA also calls into question the logic of such a move.

"The aviation community takes security very seriously," Pecoraro adds. "Even so, we seriously doubt that a signature on the DMA provides the state or its citizens with real security or even valuable information. We strongly urge you to remove aircraft from the DMA identified lists."

Pecoraro says Ohio's pilots and aircraft owners also actively participate in programs such as the AOPA and TSA Airport Watch program... and should not have their loyalty questioned.

FMI: www.aopa.org/airportwatch, Read The Full Letter (.pdf)